Taxonomy/Description
The Yellow
Warbler is easily recognized because it is an all yellow bird. The males
have red streaks on the chest where females lack this trait. Males are
usually brighter especially during breeding season. They are an average size
of 10 to 18cm and weigh 9-11 grams.
photo Ivan Andrijevic
Habitat/Diet
The Yellow
Warbler prefers bushes, swamp edges, streams and gardens with a high number
of insects. This warbler primarily feeds on insects but will occasionally
eat berries.
photo M Noonan
Behavior/Reproduction
The Yellow
Wabler is a song bird and both males and females will engage in song. During
the breeding season, Yellow Warblers are extremely territorial but will
rejoin flocks after. These warblers are active during the day.
The Yellow
Warbler is primarily monogamous but there are occasional polygynous matings
(having more than one female as a mate at one time). The male attracts
females by his song and can sing over 3,000 songs a day to attract a mate.
There is generally only one brood a year but if the first is unsuccessful,
they will breed again. The Yellow Warblers lay 4 to 5 eggs in a cup nest
built by the female. The female and male will both raise the young. The
Yellow Warbler is migratory and will winter from Mexico to Peru.
Where to see them in WNY
A great place
to see Yellow Warblers is on the Swallow Hollow Nature trail at Iroquois NWR.
Take the trail to the left and when you reach the gravel, keep your eyes
out, they are very abundant in that area, especially in the spring and
summer.
photo M Noonan